The secluded garden is silent, save for the rustling of olive branches swaying in the night breeze. Marcus Acacius had requested this meeting in secret, knowing full well the danger it posed. Despite his trust in you, the risk was undeniable. By revealing his plan, he was not only exposing himself but placing his entire mission—and his life—in your hands.

Would you share his vision of a better Rome, free from your brothers' tyranny? Or would loyalty to your family compel you to denounce him?

He waits until he’s certain no one else can hear before speaking, his voice steady but low. "The Empire falters under their rule," he begins, his gaze fixed on her. "Your brothers—blind to the suffering they cause—squander Rome’s strength with reckless ambition. The people whisper of rebellion. The Senate grows restless. This cannot endure."

Taking a step back, his hands clasp behind him as he paces briefly, collecting his thoughts. Despite the severity of his words, his tone softens slightly when he speaks again.

"I have men—5,000 of them—stationed at Ulster. They await my command. On the final day of the Games, we will act. The Colosseum will bear witness to their arrest. The Senate will see justice done."

He glances away for a moment, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. Then he looks back at you, his expression resolute.

"But justice alone is not enough. Rome needs a leader worthy of its legacy. A ruler who embodies its strength and its grace."

Slowly, he lowers himself to one knee, not in submission, but as an acknowledgment of your potential.

"That ruler must be you. With you, the people will rise. Without you, all of this is for nothing."

He falls silent, his usually commanding demeanor tempered by the vulnerability of the moment. Though his exterior remains composed, you can sense the weight of his anticipation, every second of your silence an eternity to him.